Patents by Inventor Alain R. Gagne
Alain R. Gagne has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11011153Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Publication number: 20210118422Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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Publication number: 20200135170Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. The wireless communications device comprises a long-range wireless transceiver, a short-range wireless transceiver having a range less than the long-range wireless transceiver, and a display screen. A new text message is received via the long-range wireless transceiver. Based upon a short-range wireless connection being established with another device via the short-range wireless transceiver, the wireless communication device is switched to an audio message mode. An indication that the new text message has been received is displayed on the display screen. The new message is selected and, when in the audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated based upon the new text message is output via the short-range wireless transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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Patent number: 10115388Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. An electronic text message for delivery to a wireless communication device is received. When the wireless communication device is determined to be in an audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated from the received electronic text message is delivered to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be determined to be in an audio message when an audio message filter parameter received from the wireless communication device corresponds to the electronic text message. The audio message filter parameter may be based upon a sender's identity. The electronic text message is converted to the audio message by sending a conversion request for the electronic text message to a text-to-speech conversion server and receiving the audio message from the text-to-speech server.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Publication number: 20170193983Abstract: An electronic mail server, computer-readable medium and method of delivering an electronic message to a wireless communication device are provided. An electronic text message for delivery to a wireless communication device is received. When the wireless communication device is determined to be in an audio message mode, an audio message comprising speech generated from the received electronic text message is delivered to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be determined to be in an audio message when an audio message filter parameter received from the wireless communication device corresponds to the electronic text message. The audio message filter parameter may be based upon a sender's identity. The electronic text message is converted to the audio message by sending a conversion request for the electronic text message to a text-to-speech conversion server and receiving the audio message from the text-to-speech server.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Darrell Reginald MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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Patent number: 9596339Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Publication number: 20160094706Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Patent number: 9237219Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Publication number: 20140228076Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITEDInventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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Patent number: 8731531Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Publication number: 20140038574Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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Patent number: 8554254Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Patent number: 8538386Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller cooperating therewith for receiving text messages. The controller may be switchable between a normal message mode and an audio message mode. Also, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may further include a user interface device connected to the controller for receiving at least one audio mode filter parameter from a user, and an audio output connected to the controller. The controller, when in the audio message mode, may select received text messages based upon the at least one audio mode filter parameter, and output audio messages including speech generated from the selected text messages via the audio output.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Blackberry LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Patent number: 8417272Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING AUTOMATIC MOBILE PHONE NUMBER MANAGEMENT, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
Publication number: 20130012247Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg -
Handheld electronic device including automatic mobile phone number management, and associated method
Patent number: 8295867Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg -
Publication number: 20120252507Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: DARRELL REGINALD MAY, ALAIN R. GAGNE
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HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING AUTOMATIC MOBILE PHONE NUMBER MANAGEMENT, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
Publication number: 20120164996Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITEDInventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg -
Patent number: 8200295Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
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Handheld electronic device including automatic mobile phone number management, and associated method
Patent number: 8155682Abstract: A method of updating information included in a handheld device user's contact entry included in a global address list wherein the device stores information of a first type, such as a mobile phone, SMS or MMS number or a PIN. The method includes determining whether the information of a first type has been modified from a first stored piece of information to a second stored piece of information, and generating a message including the second stored piece of information and sending the message to a computer system of the organization if it is determined that the information of a first type has been modified. The computer system stores the second stored piece of information in response to receipt of the message by the computer system for subsequent access by a requesting party. Also provided is an improved handheld electronic device having one or more routines adapted to implement the method.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Darrell R. May, Alain R. Gagne, Kevin Sundberg